Great Spruce Up Your Home Hunt

Former_MSE_Andrea · 8 March 2005 at 8:19PM

Property programmes always go on about things to do to increase the value of your home, but what about for people who just want to live there?

This hunt's all about finding cheap and easy ways to make your house a better place to be.

What we're really looking for is how much things cost, how long it will take and if something needs to be bought, where a good and cheap place to get it is.

PS., let's keep this one on topic and not turn it into the merits (or not) of certain DIY chains.

Click reply to add your ideas.

Nasnowt · 8 March 2005 at 8:28PM

Good idea!

I have an internal wall that it is now minus an ugly old fireplace. The wall really should be replastered but cash is currently tight.

Other than leaving the sofa pushed up against it

does anyone have any cheap & cheeerful suggestions? The wall reflects the light from 2 windows into the room and that aspect needs to be preserved.

Thanks

shrek101 · 8 March 2005 at 9:22PM

We just got the old fire (gas fire with coals in) ripped out and replaced with a new gas fire living flame. It looks so much better and would be a cheap way of improving your home and or prospects of selling it. Cost me £200 plus bunged brother in law who fitted it £40. It was just the fire not surround as we had that already.

http://www.zen66361.zen.co.uk/Pictures/FirePlace.JPG

littlebigfeat · 9 March 2005 at 6:03PM

If you don't have a brother who's a gas fitter but are feeling creative, how about nipping down to your local diy shop, buying a bit of wood and creating a screen to cover up the hole. A bit of trellis with some nice fabric behind it, a picture, some dried or real flowers...... this list is endless.

Incidentally I have a few questions:

1) I have a living room with dado rail. How can I get rid of it without having to replaster bits of the wall?

2) How can I spruce up some very dated kitchen units?

3) What can I do about an old bathroom suite without having to shell out for a new one?

Thanks xx

margaret_3 · 9 March 2005 at 6:35PM

I think it would be much easier to buy a bathroom suite. You can get a lovely modern one for £199. Well worth the money I think.

wildchild · 9 March 2005 at 6:42PM

2) How can I spruce up some very dated kitchen units?

if the basic units are OK, replace the cupboard fronts (several companies do this, you can probably get the cupboard fronts in the usual chains too)

3) What can I do about an old bathroom suite without having to shell out for a new one?

either a cheapie new one (£199 but then you have to get it fitted) OR you could just replace the taps - that sometimes makes a huge amount of difference - OR get your bath re-enameled (specialist firms in yellow pages etc do this).

For things like screens, don't forget auctions have loads of stuff like that for a fraction of the cost of new and often with lots more character.

rafi_2 · 9 March 2005 at 6:48PM

Nasnowt
How about leaving the sofa in front of the wall meantime but get a really big framed mirror on the wall above and that will reflect the light from the windows even more...?

rafi_2 · 9 March 2005 at 6:49PM

By the way - what does "vivster" mean? It seems to be getting added to my posts now.

Nasnowt · 9 March 2005 at 7:53PM

Thanks all, some good ideas there.

Sofa_Sogood · 9 March 2005 at 8:03PM

I 'nicked' a good idea for a cottagy style coffee table from my sister-in-law.

Instead of splashing out on something expensive, she bought 4 wicker cubes and made one big low table.

Looks great with a bowl of pine cones and wicker balls and only cost about £40 brand new. Might be cheaper if you look out for a few slightly marked cubes.

MSE_Martin · 9 March 2005 at 8:22PM

Quick note for Rafi (please don't comment on it as it'll disrupt the thread). The Vivister was someone elses signature, we have occassional glitches where it copies them. I've removed it from your profile

Great Spruce Up Your Home Hunt

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